Live from Brussels – Issue 113

       

Dear readers 

I am delighted to be joined by HOTREC’s new President, Alexandros Vassilikos, to welcome you to the first issue of our ‘Live from Brussels’ newsletter in 2023. Together, we wish you a New Year full of joy, health, and hospitality.  

Looking ahead at the year, we have three main wishes and are determined to see them fulfilled to the best of our abilities.  

First, we want to continue building on the good numbers seen in the second semester of 2022 after years of COVID. However, we hope to find solutions and stability for businesses facing doubts about their- future caused by the war at our borders, the rising costs of food and energy, inflation, and the lack of labour so that our sector can thrive again. This needs a strong and united European response.   

Second, we will put our combined efforts into ensuring that we offer a robust and insightful organisation to our members so that they can aspire to a more prosperous future. We are sure that with the support and guidance of our new Executive Committee and the commitment and expertise of all our members, we will help hospitality move forward.   

And third, we aspire to creativity! Knowing that our sector is one of the most resilient there is, we know that innovative solutions can lead to transformative tourism and hospitality sectors that contribute to a strong European economy.  

The Swedish presidency of the Council of the EU, which kicked off on 1 January, will be one of our key partners and will play a determinant role in shaping the EU response to current issues. We trust them to help us bring hope and stability to the industry. In this issue, we were honoured to discuss the priorities of the Swedish Presidency regarding tourism with Ambassador Torbjörn Haak, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sweden, whom we thank for his precious insight.  

2023 is starting at quite a pace! We are looking at bringing the voice of HOTREC in many different key topics such as energy support measures, attracting and retaining the workforce, pushing for a level playing field between STRs and hotels, succeeding in the sustainability transition and changing to reuse and refill packaging.  

We are happy to see that tourism will be stronger in Europe as, on 1 January 2023, Croatia adopted the euro as its currency and fully joined the Schengen area. This territory of freedom, convenience, and opportunity that the EU and Schengen make possible is now available to the vibrant hospitality sector of Croatia.  

We look very much forward to working together on all HOTREC priorities. We have a lot ahead of us, but we stand ready and united to make a difference in the hospitality sector in Europe. 

We wish you a fulfilling and prosperous 2023!  


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Circular economy

Energy

Latest news

Live from the network

Short term rentals

Social Affairs

Sustainability

Taxation


Circular economy



Be wild and separate your bio-waste

According to the EU waste framework directive, by 31 December 2023, all member states, citizens and businesses including large and small HORECA establishments will have to separate their biowaste for collection.

Energy



HOTREC welcomes agreement on Emission Trading Scheme for buildings and transport

On 18 December 2022, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached a provisional political agreement on the revision of the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). 

Latest news



Interview of Ambassador Torbjörn Haak Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU

On 1 January 2023, Sweden took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU.


Green transition and energy on Swedish Presidency of the EU’s ‘to-do’ list

Sweden took the reigns of the EU Presidency on 1 January 2023 with a busy programme that gives high priority to the security, competitiveness, green and energy transitions, democratic values and the rule of law in Europe.  

Live from the network



European Hospitality Day : HOTREC at the Parliament

On 29 November 2022, HOTREC delegates assembled in Brussels for the first ever European Hospitality Day. 

Short term rentals



Short-term Accommodation Rental Services regulation: HOTREC’s positions

On 17 January 2023, HOTREC officially presented its position paper on the recent Proposal for a Regulation on Short-Term Accommodation Rental Services. 

Social Affairs



EMPL committee votes on Platform Work

On 12 December 2022, the Employment Committee of the European Parliament adopted a negotiating mandate on new rules to improve the working conditions in platform work.


Co-legislators reach provisional agreement on Pay Transparency Directive

On 15 December 2022, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached, a provisional agreement on the Pay Transparency Directive.  

Sustainability



Say goodbye to miniature cosmetics in hotels

If you like collecting hotel cosmetics as souvenirs of your holiday trips, you might get disappointed by what follows. 

Taxation



New EU value-added tax (VAT) rules to further level the playing field among different accommodation providers

On 8 December 2022, the European Commission presented a series of measures that will impact VAT systems across the EU.


Italian tax obligation for STR platforms in line with EU law

On 22 December 2022, the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) issued a judgement which clarifies that Italian taxation law can oblige providers of property intermediation services, such as Airbnb to share information from rental contracts with authorities and to withhold tax. 


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Calendar

Mon
Tue
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Fri
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M
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S
27
28
30
2
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5
10:30 AM - Webinar PEF
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29 Nov
29/11/2023    
09:30 - 12:00
Draft Agenda for ExCom Meeting on Wednesday, 29 November 2023 Hotel Sofitel Jourdan, Brussels - Meeting Room Roy Jenkins Welcome by the President Antitrust Statement and [...]
01 Dec
01/12/2023    
11:30 - 12:30
On 1 December 2023, HOTREC will organise a members-only discussion on Google's plans under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The discussion will take place online [...]
05 Dec
05/12/2023    
10:30 - 12:00
We would like to kindly remind you about the online webinar taking place on 5 December 2023 on the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for Hotel accommodation services.
Events on 29/11/2023
Events on 05/12/2023
05 Dec
5 Dec 23